Busy Reese looks to lead Bayhawks back to playoffs

Courtesy Chesapeake Bayhawks / HANDOUT

ANNAPOLIS, MD - APRIL 19: Assistant coach Brian Reese of the Chesapeake Bayhawks looks on before a MLL lacrosse game against the Florida Launch at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) - Original Credit: Getty Images

Reese works full-time as a physical education instructor at Glenelg Country School and is also the varsity girls lacrosse coach at the private institution in Howard County.

Reese spends several evenings each week coaching his oldest son Riley on the sixth grade team for the Maryland Roughriders club program. The 39-year-old takes on added parenting responsibilities during the spring since his wife is head coach at Maryland, the top-ranked women's college lacrosse program.

"It gets a little crazy at times, that's for sure," Reese said when asked how he juggles so many jobs. "Fortunately, I have a very organized wife and she keeps me organized. Each morning, I ask my wife what I need to do and she tells me."

Reese takes over the Bayhawks after spending the past two seasons as an assistant under Dave Cottle, who resigned to focus on his duties as team president. Chesapeake owner Brendan Kelly vowed to conduct an exhaustive search to find a head coach who could lead the club for many years to come and wound up hiring from within.

Reese played for the Bayhawks for five seasons and was a starting defenseman for the 2002 club that captured the franchise's first MLL championship. The Glenelg resident rejoined the Bayhawks in 2012 as general manager, but took a one-year sabbatical from professional lacrosse for family reasons.

Courtesy Chesapeake Bayhawks / HANDOUT

ANNAPOLIS, MD - MAY 31: Assistant coach Brian Reese of the Chesapeake Bayhawks looks on before a MLL lacrosse game against the Ohio Machine on May 31, 2014 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The Machine won 15-11. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) - Original Credit: Getty Images

ANNAPOLIS, MD - MAY 31: Assistant coach Brian Reese of the Chesapeake Bayhawks looks on before a MLL lacrosse game against the Ohio Machine on May 31, 2014 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The Machine won 15-11. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) - Original Credit: Getty Images (Courtesy Chesapeake Bayhawks / HANDOUT)

Now Reese faces the challenge of resurrecting Chesapeake, which missed the MLL playoffs in 2014 and 2015. Consecutive losing campaigns was unacceptable for an organization that captured three championships in the span of four years after being purchased by Kelly and relocated to Annapolis.

"The Bayhawks have a storied history that is highlighted by five championships," Reese said. "It's my job to uphold that tradition of success. This is an organization that is accustomed to winning championships, and my goal is to get back to that level. I appreciate the trust and faith Brendan Kelly and Dave Cottle have placed in me. I plan to do everything in my power to bring the Steinfeld Trophy back to Annapolis."

Reese grew up in Towson and was a three-sport standout at St. Paul's School, excelling in football, basketball and lacrosse. The 6-foot-4 close defender became a three-year starter at Maryland for coach Dick Edell. He played in three national championships and earned All-America honors as a senior.

After spending seven seasons playing professionally both indoors and outdoors, Reese was tabbed to lead the expansion Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse. He spent two years building the roster as general manager then served double duty as head coach, directing Denver to Western Conference crowns in 2006 and 2008.

"I learned an awful lot about how the league works while I was in Denver. I'm really proud of all the success we had with the Outlaws and that experience should serve me well in my second go-round as a head coach," Reese said.

Reese met Cathy Nelson when both played lacrosse at Maryland and the two were married shortly after graduation. Cathy Reese has been a Division I women's lacrosse coach for 13 years – three at the University of Denver and the last 10 at the University of Maryland.

Cathy Reese, who played for legendary coach Cindy Timchal and later spent four seasons as her assistant, led Maryland to consecutive national championships in 2014 and 2015. The Terrapins currently boast a 15-0 record and are ranked No. 1 in both major polls.

Brian Reese is not bothered in the least about being overshadowed by his wife.

"I know no matter what I do I'll never be the best coach in my own house and I'm fine with that," he said. "Cathy is an absolutely amazing coach and I'm lucky to have her as a resource. I bounce ideas off Cathy all the time and can only hope to build the type of winning culture with the Bayhawks that she has created at Maryland."

Reese thinks Chesapeake lost some chemistry and camaraderie the last two seasons.

"I think success starts with creating a family atmosphere. We need to build a bond of brotherhood within that locker room," he said.

Reese has placed an emphasis on improving the team's speed and athleticism. Chesapeake ranked last in the MLL in both transition goals scored and allowed last season.

"This is a fastbreak league so you have to be able to get up and down the field," Reese said. "We needed to find more two-way midfielders, guys who could go from offense to defense and vice versa. We spent the offseason trying to get younger and more athletic between the line and I think we've done that."

Cottle, who has provided guidance and advice to the first-year head coach, thinks Reese will do a superb job.

"Brian is very smart and very personable. He's an extremely hard worker and an excellent communicator," Cottle said. "Brian is a veteran of playing, coaching and managing in this league. Brian has a great relationship with the players, but is not afraid to make the tough decisions."

As team president, Cottle was charged with executing most of the offseason personnel decisions, but only did so after extensive consultation with Reese.

"This is Brian's team now. My job is to put together the type of roster Brian wants to coach," Cottle said.